How Tess Dinerstein Found Her Way From Musical Theater to Vertical Drama Fan Favorite

Long before she appeared in vertical dramas, Tess Dinerstein was studying musical theater and developing a love of storytelling. Those interests eventually helped her build a career that has connected her with viewers around the world.

When Tess Dinerstein first started appearing in vertical dramas, she had no idea the format would change her career. Today, she is one of the more recognizable faces in the space.

For Dinerstein, the path to vertical dramas began long before mobile storytelling apps. A lifelong performer with roots in musical theater, she spent years training on stage before finding a new audience through the fast-growing world of vertical entertainment.

A Life in Performance

Dinerstein grew up in the Chicago area, where she balanced horseback riding with a love of theater. From an early age, she was drawn to performing and storytelling, interests that eventually led her to pursue musical theater professionally.

She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona and later studied Shakespeare at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Her training gave her experience in singing, dancing, and acting, skills that continue to shape her approach to performance today.

In a September 2025 interview, Dinerstein reflected on the role storytelling has played throughout her life.

That passion extended beyond the stage to books and fictional worlds that captured her imagination growing up. She has spoken about her love of series such as "Harry Potter," "The Hunger Games," and "The Infernal Devices," all of which helped fuel her interest in storytelling.

Finding a Home in Vertical Dramas

Like many actors entering the industry in the early 2020s, Dinerstein faced a challenging professional landscape after graduation.

She recalled navigating a difficult audition market while trying to establish herself in Los Angeles. When vertical drama opportunities first appeared, she wasn't entirely sure what to make of them.

Her introduction to the format came through an audition involving werewolves and alpha wolves, a script unlike anything she had encountered before. What initially felt unfamiliar soon became an important turning point in her career.

As she booked more projects, she discovered that vertical dramas offered actors a chance to work consistently, develop their craft, and reach audiences in new ways.

Reflecting on her growing audience in April 2025, Dinerstein admitted that the response from viewers had surprised her.

She described connecting with viewers around the world as both surreal and deeply rewarding.

Over time, Dinerstein established herself as a regular presence in the vertical drama space through a variety of roles.

Her credits include projects such as "Daddy, Mommy Don't Divorce," "Vampire's Remedy," "Seduced By My Childhood Sweetheart," "How to Tame a Silver Fox," and "Fated to My Homeless Billionaire Alpha," Among her more recent work are "The Cheater Suddenly Can't Live Without Me," "Lies Can't Stop My Love," "The Maid Did It," and "Assemble My Avenging Billionaires."

One of Dinerstein's most notable projects to date was "How to Tame a Silver Fox," in which she played Harper opposite Jesse Morales. The series earned the pair a Fan Favorite On-Screen Couple nomination at the 2025 Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, while Dinerstein also received a nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Drama for her performance.

In April 2025, Dinerstein singled out the series as a project she was especially proud of: "I think it's going to be good."

The growing variety of roles in her résumé reflects an actress who has moved comfortably between comedy, romance, drama, and ensemble storytelling.

Why She Believes in Vertical Dramas

One of the most interesting aspects of Dinerstein's interviews is how thoughtfully she speaks about the format itself.

During her September 2025 conversation, she made an unusual comparison:

While discussing criticism sometimes directed at the genre, Dinerstein argued that both Shakespeare's plays and modern vertical dramas are designed to engage audiences through emotionally compelling stories, memorable characters, and cliffhangers that keep people invested.

She also hopes to see the genre continue evolving.

Among the ideas she expressed interest in were fantasy adventures, witch stories, pirate stories, stronger female friendships, and even musical vertical dramas that would allow performers to sing as well as act.

From Performer to Storyteller

Beyond acting, Dinerstein has also begun exploring storytelling from another angle.

In April 2025, she revealed that she had started experimenting with writing and hoped to develop a vertical drama of her own one day.

Whether on stage, in front of a camera, or behind the scenes developing new ideas, Dinerstein's interest has always remained the same: telling stories that connect with people.

That passion had already helped her find a devoted audience in the vertical drama space. Judging by her enthusiasm for the genre and its future, she appears just as excited about where those stories can go next.